Ahmedabad AMC Seals Jagatpur Garba Plot After ₹39 Lakh Dues Remain Unpaid

The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) sealed a plot on Jagatpur-Gota Road on October 15 after a Garba event reportedly ran for four days without payment of the prescribed rent and deposit totalling ₹39 lakh.

The event was organised under the name ‘Phaliyu’ on an AMC-owned plot in the Gota ward. According to Standing Committee Chairman Kamlesh Patel, the outstanding amount comprised ₹21 lakh in rent and ₹19 lakh as a security deposit.

The case has also raised questions about whether the organisers obtained the required Fire No Objection Certificate (NOC). Officials said the matter is under investigation.

How Did the Garba Event Continue Without Payment?

Patel said the AMC leases its plots for Garba events during Navratri, with allotments processed online. Organisers are required to pay the prescribed charges to secure permission to use the premises.

However, the ‘Phaliyu’ event reportedly continued for four days despite the outstanding dues. The AMC’s North-West Zone Estate Department learnt of the matter on October 14, following which a municipal team sealed the plot on the morning of October 15.

The incident has prompted questions about how the venue was allowed to host the event without confirmation of payment and why the relevant officials were not alerted earlier.

AMC Officials Under Scrutiny

Questions have been raised about the role of the AMC’s central Estate Department, the Deputy Estate Officer of the North-West Zone and the inspector responsible for the Gota ward.

Since plot allotments are processed online and permissions are linked to payment of the prescribed charges, the investigation is expected to examine how the event proceeded despite the reported non-payment.

The available information does not establish whether any official deliberately bypassed the procedure.

Fire NOC Compliance Also Under Investigation

The civic authorities are also examining whether the organisers obtained the mandatory Fire NOC for the Garba event.

If the investigation establishes violations involving payment requirements or fire safety approvals, the authorities may initiate further action against those responsible.

The sealing of the Jagatpur plot has brought the focus back on the AMC’s procedures for allocating public land for Navratri events and monitoring compliance with the conditions attached to such permissions.